Montclair Theatre Alumnus Goes from Aladdin to Blue’s Clues!

Nickelodeon’s popular educational children’s show, Blue’s Clues, is being rebooted!

The childhood staple for a generation ran from 1996 – 2006 and is being relaunched in 2019 as Blue’s Clues & You with Montclair State Alumnus Joshua Dela Cruz ’11 in the leading role.

Prior to being cast in this new, pre-school classic, Joshua was on Broadway in Disney’s Aladdin, and had appeared in CBS’ Bull and ABC’s Time After Time.

Steve Burns, the original host of Blue’s Clues, was involved in the search and audition process for the new host and gives Joshua two thumbs up!

Shelly Sumpter Gillyard, Executive Vice President of Talent, Music, and Events for the Nickelodeon Group supported the casting decision: “From his genuineness to his comedic timing and range, there was no doubt that he could carry the show on for the next generation of preschoolers.”

Cathy Galeota, Senior Vice President, Preschool Content, Nickelodeon Group adds “From the moment we decided to make a new version of the series, we knew that so much of the energy and magic of the show comes from the host’s ability to bring preschoolers into the colorfully animated world of Blue and her friends. Josh’s wonderful theater background and his natural charisma checked all the boxes for us, and of course Steve’s stamp of approval only solidified our decision.”

“Never in a million years did I imagine when I was in Bergenfield, I’d be that guy someday,” Joshua tells NJ.com. “I want to get kids to be excited about curiosity, to not be afraid to ask for help, and just be silly and make mistakes.”

Please join us in congratulating Joshua! We look forward to seeing him on the small screen solving problems with Blue. No premiere date has yet been set, but production is now underway!